Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(135) WA: The Big Dango Family

"Make sure you don't crash into anyone," Ace hugged him tighter. Deuce snorted at that. That one time wasn't even a crash. They were lucky they didn't hit the kid.

"Children." Both of them glanced above to Crowley who took out his cane/key-sword. Without anything to support his knees, Jonah quickly put his arms around the headmaster's neck and legs around his waist to prevent him from falling. "Be prepare to jump."

"Jump?" the captain asked. "Into the water?"

Crowley chuckled. "Not necessarily." He pointed his sword forward. The tip of the key glowed and shot out a ray of light, splitting the wave. Deuce took a deep breath and turned the gear, making the vehicle ran faster as Ace pressed himself closer.

He jumped off the platform-

-and he landed on the water perfectly thanks to Crowley's magic. It was surprisingly solid but not slippery like ice or a gelatin. Deuce kept running on the water as Ace loosen his hug, looking down and whistled in amazement. He leaned down but careful not to take the balance out, fingers brushing the wave, noticing the fishes swimming underneath the blue blanket.

The water that Deuce rode on glittered in red, green, and blue light as the sky on the horizon twisted into a portal, wavy lines shot out, covering the sky and turning everything into a magic tunnel. The spiraling tunnel didn't make them dizzy, which makes sense if this was supposed to be an escape route for the royal family of the Valley of Thorn. The tunnel slowly waved out revealing a darker orange-tinted sky with dark branches of dead trees and thorns. The water underneath them turned into dirt and the way in front of them revealed a dark pathway of a forest. It was a different experience compared to when they took off from the kingdom.

At the end of the long stretched-out silent pathway, they've reached a clearing. For mortal eyes, it looked like a regular clearing, with a small pond, but only fae could see the glitter of toxic green on the water and tree branches that made a natural archway from the path. There stood someone familiar. Senior Vanrouge who was smiled at them as Crowley landed with ease and Deuce pulled the break into a stop.

It was a clear shock for Ace and Deuce when they found out that Vanrouge has a relation with the kingdom. They knew that Malleus Draconia, the heir to the Valley of Thorn's throne is studying with them, but they never really pay attention to Lilia Vanrouge. Deuce had always assumed that he was just acting like an old man, he didn't know that he had the experience equal to an old man? Former advisor of the queen and now the prince caretaker/mentor?! How old is he?! They couldn't believe that Trey's assumption of baby-faced Lilia being older than he looks actually is true.

"Greetings, gentlemen," Vanrouge clapped his hands, oblivious to Deuce's train of thoughts. A quick glanced toward headmaster, noticing the boy and cat, his smile widened. "I see the rescue mission is an arrant success."

"Indeed it is," Crowley said with a nod.

"I'm glad for that," Senior Vanrouge said. He turned to Jonah. "It's wonderful to until unharmed, Little Star."

Deuce turned to Jonah. His brow furrowed slightly but it quickly disappeared. "Thank you... I guess." He tried to smile.

Lilia chuckled. "We've received dire's message and prepare rooms for all of thou to take a rest. I'm sure all of thou are tired."

Deuce silently agreed. Again, the adrenaline rush had run out its steam. Senior Vanrouge tapped the ground with his toes and wind gathered beneath him, fluttering his raven wing-like cape as he slowly hovered above the ground. "I shall marshal't the way to the castle."

-----

Jonah wasn't prepared to see the Valley of Thorn castle and he would probably never be. He stood in awe, eye widened and mouth agape, at the first step to the giant door with dragon carvings and raven gargoyles on the side, craning his neck back as far as he could to see the top of the tower. The castle is taller than Night Raven College. Bats could be seen flying around the towers as green light shone from behind the window. It was enchanted, mystique, or maybe gothic was the perfect word.